The Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) is one of three specialized units that comprise the Special Operations Group (SOG) for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

The objective of CIU is to respond to situations where special negotiation skills become necessary. CIU is responsible for conducting negotiations with individuals in crisis, such as suicidal subjects, hostage takers, and barricaded subjects. The negotiator works as a member of a team to reach a peaceful and safe resolve for the subject, law enforcement, and the community. Some of the duties include the collection of intelligence, operation of specialized surveillance equipment, writing reports and maintaining a command post.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office has had hostage negotiators since the early 1980's when the agency recognized a need for deputies with special negotiation skills for incidents when a tactical solution was not necessarily the best or safest solution. In 1995, the Hostage Negotiations Unit (HNU) was formally established. The team was comprised of a lieutenant, who was the executive officer and 10 negotiators made up of both sergeants and deputies. The name of the unit was later changed to CIU and is currently overseen by an SRU lieutenant, a sergeant, who is the executive officer and 11 negotiators made up of both sergeants and deputies.

CIU is an intricate part of the service the Alameda County Sheriff's Office provides to the community. The unit performs an essential task by providing alternatives to tactical options. The role of law enforcement is to protect life above all else, and CIU is crucial to that means.